My two golf ball caliber cannons

[Kevin in NC]

Here are the two cannons I've built... so far. The one on the green mount is sort of based on the Lyle gun. It will put a golf ball through a refrigerator at close range. Yes, it happened, but not indoors. It was turned from 4" solid stock and the trunnion block was made separately and threaded on. I made the mount also. The little one is based upon the 13" siege mortar and turned from 5" or 6" solid stock. With 50 gr of 2F, it will lob a golf ball about 75 yards or so. That's an 11" Dahlgren naval shell next to a 24(?) pdr. in the rear. To the right is a pair of 8 gauge barrels for another project I may get to if I live long enough.

Both are bored to 1.725" more or less. The little one has a 1" chamber.

 

[Thomas.bill92]

That mortar is awesome!

 

[Rich44]

I like your builds. They look very well planned and hefty to take any charge you use. The cannon barrel is very robust and the mortar has the proper powder chamber. Nice job with good pictures. Try to get a picture of one firing if possible. Good luck with your new arsenal.

 

[Kevin in NC]

I made both of these with my ancient Southbend benchtop lathe and a cheap benchtop mill. They both took forever and a day to machine. I now have a much bigger 3 phase lathe and a big Bridgeport clone milling machine. I have plans in my head to build a 3/4ish scale Coehorn mortar from a big chunk of 5-6" stock that's quietly waiting for the day to come.